Sir Colin Davis chose the music of Sibelius to open one of his inaugural concerts as principal guest conductor of the Boston Symphony in October 1972. It was a pivotal moment: Colin Davis had reawakened the Boston Sibelius tradition. This album of Symphonies Nos. 5 and 7, recorded in Symphony Hall, Boston, in January 1975, was both the first release in the now-legendary Davis/Boston Sibelius cycle and what also proved to be the swansong of Philips’ era of quadraphonic recording. “No one listening to Colin Davis’s cycle of Sibelius symphonies will be left in any doubt that here is a born Sibelian and that these recordings are a very considerable achievement.” — Gramophone

Introducing Decca’s new all-analogue vinyl series, DECCA PURE ANALOGUE, presenting some of the most iconic recordings from the Decca & Philips archives. The series is mastered by Rainer Maillard and cut by Sidney C. Meyer at the renowned Emil Berliner Studios, pressed on 180g vinyl at Pallas, and presented in deluxe gatefold sleeves in hand-numbered limited editions.

Only original analogue sources are used — two-track stereo and four-track quadraphonic tapes, plus analogue masters of early digital recordings — and no extra devices are utilized in the signal path, i.e. no digital sound processing at all.

Each album features the original artwork and liner notes, archival photos and facsimiles of original recording session sheets, and bespoke new notes detailing the history of the recording, the technical background, and the mastering process.

Tracklisting:
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

LP 1

Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82

Side A

1. I. Tempo molto moderato – Largamente – Allegro moderato – Presto

Side B

1. II. Andante mosso, quasi allegretto

2. III. Allegro molto – Misterioso – Un pochettino largamente – Largamente assai

LP2

Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105

Side C

1. I. Adagio

2. II. Vivacissimo – Adagio

3. III. Allegro molto moderato – Allegro moderato

4. IVa. Vivace – Presto – Adagio – Largamente molto

5. IVb. Affettuoso

Side D

1. Tapiola, Op. 112

Sir Colin Davis

Sibelius: Sinfonien Nr. 5 & 7

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique